Chilton County farmer new Alfa president

Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 6:09 p.m.

MONTGOMERY — Chilton County farmer Jimmy Parnell has been installed as the new president of the Alabama Farmers Federation and as head of the Alfa Insurance Cos.

Parnell, 48, was elected Alfa president on Monday during the foundation’s 91st annual meeting, and on Tuesday was elected president, CEO and chairman of Alfa Insurance Cos.

He succeeds Jerry Newby, 65, who retired after seven two-year terms.

Parnell is a partner in his family’s beef cattle and timber business and served on Alfa’s board of directors from 1999 to 2008. He was chairman of Alfa’s State Young Farmers Committee in 1997 and has served as president of the Chilton County Farmers Federation since 2006, Alfa said.

“Alfa was founded to help policyholders protect their farms, homes, automobiles and families with affordable insurance and honest, personalized service,” Parnell said in a statement. “I’m excited about the opportunity to build on this foundation as we work to better serve our customers and grow the Alfa companies.”

After his Monday as Alfa president, Parnell said, “I’m humbled by the support I received from farmers across Alabama. I look forward to representing them as we work with elected officials, government agencies and other farm organizations to protect the families who grow our food and fiber.”

Parnell is a 1985 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics. The family farm includes 600 brood cows and 2,500 stocker calves.

He was named Alabama Logger of the Year in 2006 by the Alabama Forestry Association, and he and his family were named the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family in 1999.

Other candidates were state Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, a cotton farmer, and Ricky Wiggins of Covington County.

<p>MONTGOMERY — Chilton County farmer Jimmy Parnell has been installed as the new president of the Alabama Farmers Federation and as head of the Alfa Insurance Cos.</p><p>Parnell, 48, was elected Alfa president on Monday during the foundation's 91st annual meeting, and on Tuesday was elected president, CEO and chairman of Alfa Insurance Cos.</p><p>He succeeds Jerry Newby, 65, who retired after seven two-year terms.</p><p>Parnell is a partner in his family's beef cattle and timber business and served on Alfa's board of directors from 1999 to 2008. He was chairman of Alfa's State Young Farmers Committee in 1997 and has served as president of the Chilton County Farmers Federation since 2006, Alfa said.</p><p>“Alfa was founded to help policyholders protect their farms, homes, automobiles and families with affordable insurance and honest, personalized service,” Parnell said in a statement. “I'm excited about the opportunity to build on this foundation as we work to better serve our customers and grow the Alfa companies.”</p><p>After his Monday as Alfa president, Parnell said, “I'm humbled by the support I received from farmers across Alabama. I look forward to representing them as we work with elected officials, government agencies and other farm organizations to protect the families who grow our food and fiber.”</p><p>Parnell is a 1985 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business and economics. The family farm includes 600 brood cows and 2,500 stocker calves.</p><p>He was named Alabama Logger of the Year in 2006 by the Alabama Forestry Association, and he and his family were named the Alabama Farmers Federation's Outstanding Young Farm Family in 1999.</p><p>Other candidates were state Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, a cotton farmer, and Ricky Wiggins of Covington County.</p>